Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has carried out a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, transferring several IAS officers and assigning them new responsibilities across key departments and public sector undertakings. The latest round of transfers includes changes in leadership at the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), along with fresh appointments in education, tourism, agriculture, health, rural development and other departments.
The reshuffle, announced on Thursday, is aimed at strengthening administrative efficiency and ensuring effective governance across critical sectors.
Major Manivannan Gets Additional Urban Transport Responsibility
Major Manivannan P., a 1998-batch IAS officer currently serving as Commissioner of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), has been entrusted with the concurrent charge of Commissioner, Directorate of Urban Land Transport.
The additional responsibility places him at the centre of urban transport planning and mobility initiatives in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru’s rapidly expanding metropolitan region.
Changes at Karnataka Bhavan, New Delhi
In an important administrative change, Imkongla Jamir M., a 2002-batch IAS officer serving as Resident Commissioner, Karnataka Bhavan, New Delhi, has been transferred and posted as Secretary (Coordination), Karnataka Bhavan, New Delhi, with immediate effect.
The move relieves Sameer Shukla of the concurrent charge he had been holding.
Meanwhile, Sameer Shukla, a 2005-batch IAS officer and Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, has been appointed as the new Resident Commissioner, Karnataka Bhavan, New Delhi, replacing Jamir.
Backward Classes Welfare and Higher Education Departments Get New Secretaries
Dr. Prasad N.V., a 2004-batch IAS officer, has been appointed Secretary of the Backward Classes Welfare Department, replacing Thulasi Maddineni.
Thulasi Maddineni, a 2005-batch officer, has been transferred and posted as Secretary, Higher Education Department. She replaces Khushboo G. Chowdhary, who had been holding the position as an additional charge.
Additional Charge for Rural Development Administration
Randeep D., a 2006-batch IAS officer, has been given concurrent charge as Secretary (Panchayat Raj) in the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.
The arrangement is expected to improve coordination in the implementation of rural development and local governance programmes across the state.
KSRTC and BMTC Get New Managing Directors
One of the most notable developments in the reshuffle is the change in leadership at Karnataka’s two major public transport corporations.
Sivakumar K.B. Appointed KSRTC Managing Director
Sivakumar K.B., a 2010-batch IAS officer and Managing Director of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), has been transferred as Managing Director of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).
He replaces Akram Pasha, who had headed KSRTC for nearly a year before being transferred earlier this month.
Sivakumar’s transfer comes after just eight months at the helm of BMTC.
Raghunandan Murthy Takes Charge of BMTC
Raghunandan Murthy, a 2014-batch IAS officer, has been appointed Managing Director of BMTC, replacing Sivakumar K.B.
In addition to his new responsibilities, he will continue to hold concurrent charge as Commissioner of Treasuries.
The appointment comes at a crucial time as BMTC continues to focus on service expansion, fleet modernization and commuter-centric reforms.
Tourism Department Gets New Commissioner
Ram Prasath Manohar V., a 2010-batch IAS officer and Managing Director of Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL), has been assigned concurrent charge as Commissioner of Tourism.
He replaces Shivaprasad P.R., who was holding the position as an additional responsibility.
Agriculture and MSME Departments Witness Key Changes
Sateesha B.C., a 2012-batch IAS officer and Director of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Commerce and Industries Department, has been appointed Commissioner of Agriculture.
He replaces Patil Yalagouda Shivanagouda, who was holding the charge concurrently.
Meanwhile, Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, a 2016-batch IAS officer and Joint Managing Director of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board, has been posted as Director, MSME, Commerce and Industries Department, replacing Sateesha B.C.
Akram Pasha Moves to National Health Mission
Akram Pasha, a 2012-batch IAS officer who recently served as Managing Director of KSRTC, has been appointed Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM) and Directorate of Health.
He replaces Avinash Menon Rajendran in the role.
The posting places him in charge of key public health programmes and healthcare delivery initiatives across Karnataka.
Municipal Administration and Greater Bengaluru Authority
Nitish K., a 2015-batch IAS officer, has been appointed Director of Municipal Administration, replacing Ravindra P.N.
He will also hold concurrent charge as Special Commissioner (Health and Education) of the Greater Bengaluru Authority, replacing Venkatachalapathy R.
The dual responsibility is expected to enhance coordination between municipal governance and civic service delivery.
New Posting in Bagalkot
Gajanan Bale, a 2022-batch IAS officer, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Panchayat, Bagalkot.
He replaces Sangappa, who was holding the charge additionally.
Bale will also hold concurrent charge as General Manager, Resettlement & Rehabilitation and Land Acquisition, Upper Krishna Project, Bagalkot.
Focus on Administrative Efficiency
The latest reshuffle reflects the Karnataka government’s efforts to deploy experienced officers in strategic positions across transport, health, tourism, education, agriculture and rural development sectors.
The changes are expected to improve administrative coordination, accelerate policy implementation and strengthen service delivery mechanisms across the state.
With new leadership taking charge of key transport corporations such as KSRTC and BMTC, and several departments receiving fresh administrative heads, the reshuffle marks another significant reorganisation of Karnataka’s bureaucracy.
Key Highlights
- Karnataka government transferred several IAS officers in a major reshuffle.
- KSRTC and BMTC received new Managing Directors.
- Sameer Shukla appointed Resident Commissioner, Karnataka Bhavan, New Delhi.
- Sivakumar K.B. moved from BMTC to KSRTC.
- Raghunandan Murthy appointed Managing Director of BMTC.
- Akram Pasha posted as Mission Director, National Health Mission.
- Dr. Prasad N.V. appointed Secretary, Backward Classes Welfare Department.
- Thulasi Maddineni transferred to Higher Education Department.
- Nitish K. appointed Director of Municipal Administration.
- Gajanan Bale named CEO, Zilla Panchayat, Bagalkot.
